He could take Harlow. He’d hate to do it, but he would.
It was the addition of Caius, Makon, Silas, and Maida that worried him.
Graydon was confident in his abilities one-on-one, but if all five of them attacked, he would find it difficult to escape with his life.
“The emperor is afraid to risk his son after what happened to the last one.” Caius’s words broke the standoff Graydon and Harlow had fallen into. “Why should a daughter of Roake be the one to place herself in danger?”
Graydon allowed some of the tension to leave his shoulders, not taking insult at Caius’s words.
As insulting as the question was, Caius was offering him a chance to explain himself.
Caius hadn’t reached the status of House Roake’s forward general without the capabilities and strategic mind necessary for the role.
Makon might be considered Harlow’s number two as Marshal of the House, responsible for maintaining its defensive capabilities, but Caius was the person Harlow appointed for all offensive maneuvers.
If a planet needed to be invaded or another House started a war with them, Caius was the one Harlow sent to conquer their enemies.
Harlow’s ferocity eased as a frown replaced his anger.
The situation was still dangerous but at least he was listening.
“The emperor cannot overlook the fact that there have been several incidents of late that point to interference by our old masters. You’ve experienced their betrayal yourself,” Graydon said.
Harlow’s expression tightened at the reference to a member of his former pod who had played a role in the death of his twin and the abduction of Kira and so many other children.
Anger mixed with shame in the faces of the others.
No one liked the reminder that they’d missed the signs.
“Torvald doesn’t think your House is the only one who the old masters have sunk their tendrils into,” Graydon continued. “He believes they will try to intercept the lenacht for their own agenda. That cannot be allowed to happen.”
Such a breach would break the oath they’d made to the lu-ong and the Mea’Ave to serve as their protectors. It would also place a valuable weapon into their enemies’ hands.
The reason the Tuann had been able to rule their section of the galaxy with little challenge was because of the Mea’Ave. If it turned its face from them, it would be a powerful blow that affected everyone—Roake and Kira included.
“Devon holds talent but he is untested,” Graydon said.
His yer’se would be powerful one day, but for now, he still needed seasoning. Something Kira’s time in the Consortium had provided her plenty of.
If Graydon had to choose between experience and someone who had mastered ki, he’d choose the former.
The set expression on Harlow’s face remained unconvinced. “You have yet to say anything that would change my mind in this matter.”
As expected of Graydon’s mentor and Kira’s uncle. He was as stubborn as her.
Graydon supposed there was nothing to do but to play his final card. He should have known it would come to this.
“There are signs that indicate Kira may be a beloved of the Mea’Ave,“ Graydon revealed.
Shock showed on some of the faces of those around him. Silas and Harlow were the only two who seemed to take the news in stride.
“You knew.”
Graydon wasn’t surprised. Finn must have given him a report of what he’d seen on Ta Da’an. Silas would have had his suspicions as well.
Harlow’s stance eased further as he straightened, not responding to Graydon’s statement.
He didn’t have to. Graydon was aware of how his mentor thought. The canny, old bastard had always been one step ahead of everyone else. It was good to see that hadn’t changed.
